Major League Soccer Gameweek 4
Real Salt Lake 2 - 1 FT Austin
Popular today
Most read in the last 24 hours
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
J. Bell (F. Torres) 18'
24' O. Svatok
HT
Jayden Nelson 51'
↓ J. Nelson ↑J. Alastuey 59'
↓ N. Dubersarsky ↑B. Sabovic 70'
↓ J. Bell ↑M. Djordjevic 70'
71' ↓ S. Solans ↑V. Olatunji
71' ↓ A. Hezarkhani ↑D. Luna
Brad Stuver 75'
81' ↓ G. Dillon ↑S. Spierings
88' S. Spierings (J. Glad)
↓ B. Hines-Ike ↑C. Ramirez 90'
Ilie Sánchez 90'+3
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Real Salt Lake
Goalkeepers
Rafael Cabral 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Philip Quinton 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Justen Glad 
MAGNET
90
Activity
90
Activity
81
Passes
9
Duels
Lukas Engel
MAGNET
85
Activity
85
Activity
80
Passes
5
Duels
Midfielders
Zavier Gozo 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Griffin Dillon
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
33%
Pass Acc
Noel Caliskan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Juan Manuel Sanabria
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Aiden Hezarkhani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
S. Solans
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Morgan Guilavogui
MAGNET
64
Activity
64
Activity
52
Passes
12
Duels
BENCH
Mason Stajduhar 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alexandros Katranis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kobi Henry
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sam Junqua
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diego Luna
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stijn Spierings 
CLUTCH HERO
88
Goal Time
88
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.7
Rating
Luca Moisa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dominik Marczuk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Victor Olatunji
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Austin
Goalkeepers
Bradley Stuver
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jon Gallagher
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Oleksandr Svatok 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
1
Fouls
6.5
Rating
Brendan Hines-Ike 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
4
Blocks
Jon Bell 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Midfielders
Ilie Sánchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolás Dubersarsky
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Joseph Rosales 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
12
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Facundo Torres
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
27%
Pass Acc
Jayden Nelson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Forwards
Myrto Uzuni
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Damian Las
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Mikkel Desler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Žan Kolmanič
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mateja Đorđević
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
CJ Fodrey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jorge Alastuey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Besard Šabović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ervin Torres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christian Ramirez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/28/2025 | Real Salt Lake | 3 - 1 | Austin | Major League Soccer | Rio Tinto Stadium |
| 05/29/2025 | Austin | 1 - 1 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | Q2 Stadium |
| 09/29/2024 | Austin | 2 - 2 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | Q2 Stadium |
| 06/02/2024 | Real Salt Lake | 5 - 1 | Austin | Major League Soccer | America First Field |
| 06/04/2023 | Austin | 1 - 2 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | Q2 Stadium |
| 03/12/2023 | Real Salt Lake | 1 - 2 | Austin | Major League Soccer | America First Field |
| 10/16/2022 | Austin | 2 - 2 (PEN 3-1) | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | Q2 Stadium |
| 09/15/2022 | Austin | 3 - 0 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | Q2 Stadium |
| 05/15/2022 | Real Salt Lake | 2 - 1 | Austin | Major League Soccer | Rio Tinto Stadium |
09/28/2025
05/29/2025
09/29/2024
06/02/2024
06/04/2023
03/12/2023
10/16/2022
09/15/2022
05/15/2022
Real Salt Lake Win
Austin Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +10
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -6
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -5
League Standings
P: 24 GD: +30
P: 25 GD: +4
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 25 GD: +8
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: +14
P: 25 GD: +1
P: 25 GD: 0
P: 25 GD: 0
P: 26 GD: -9
P: 24 GD: -2
P: 25 GD: -6
P: 25 GD: -12
P: 23 GD: -5
P: 24 GD: -33
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Real Salt Lake
Austin
Real Salt Lake
Austin
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
RSL's Late Magic Stuns Austin in Thrilling First Leg
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 69/100. Stijn Spierings stepped off the bench to deliver a massive 88th-minute strike, capping a relentless Real Salt Lake comeback to take control of this playoff tie.
Early Shock at America First Field
The postseason tension was palpable from the very first whistle at America First Field. Real Salt Lake set out to assert their dominance on home soil, but it was the visitors who struck the opening blow in this crucial first leg. Austin stunned the home crowd in the 18th minute when J. Bell found the back of the net, expertly finishing a pinpoint delivery from F. Torres. This sudden breakthrough completely altered the tactical landscape, demonstrating the massive Stakes involved in this knockout clash. The early deficit forced the hosts to abandon any cautious approach and throw bodies forward immediately. While Austin absorbed the initial shockwaves and attempted to slow the tempo to protect their lead, the momentum was already beginning to shift back toward a heavily favored home side determined to respond.
A Relentless Home Siege
The response from Real Salt Lake was incredibly swift and chaotic. By the 24th minute, heavy pressure inside the Austin penalty area led to a crucial own goal involving O. Svatok, instantly leveling the match at 1-1. From that moment, the game morphed into a one-sided siege. The hosts dominated possession, holding the ball 60% of the time, generating 2.15 expected goals, and pinning Austin deep in their own half. They ultimately fired 23 total shots and won 7 corners, keeping the Austin backline under constant, suffocating duress. However, goalkeeper Brad Stuver played the game of his life to maintain the Balance of the tie. Stuver was an absolute wall, registering 7 spectacular saves and frustrating the home attackers at every single turn.
The Super Sub Delivers
As the clock ticked down toward a frustrating draw for the hosts, a moment of tactical brilliance changed everything. Substitute S. Spierings entered the fray in the 81st minute, adding fresh legs to a tiring attacking unit. Just seven minutes later, the sheer Intensity of RSL's late push finally shattered Stuver's incredible resistance. Spierings latched onto a critical pass from J. Glad in the 88th minute and buried the decisive strike. This dramatic late winner secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Real Salt Lake. While they carry a vital advantage and the momentum, Austin remains well within striking distance as the tie shifts to their home ground for the conclusive second leg on October 29.
Key Questions
Did Real Salt Lake deserve the late equalizer?
Yes, Real Salt Lake entirely dominated with 60% possession and 23 total shots, making their late 88th-minute breakthrough fully earned.
How did Real Salt Lake complete the comeback from behind?
An early own goal leveled the score before substitute Stijn Spierings delivered a clutch 88th-minute strike to seal the dramatic 2-1 first-leg victory.
How did substitute Jonathan Bell change the game?
Jonathan Bell made an immediate impact by scoring the opening goal in the 18th minute, completely altering the early tactical dynamic.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Real Salt Lake Target Early Advantage Against Austin
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. An impressive start for the hosts makes them clear favorites to draw first blood in this two-legged regular season encounter.
The Setup
Stepping out onto the pitch at America First Field on March 15, 2026, Real Salt Lake look determined to cement their top-half status. They are sitting comfortably in sixth place with a solid Form rating, having secured three wins in their first five matches. Austin, currently down in 11th, must find a way to navigate a notoriously tricky away day. The Stakes might be modest this early in the campaign, but with this acting as the first leg of a season-spanning tie—and the return fixture scheduled for October 29 down in Austin—setting the tone today is absolutely vital. The visitors boast undeniable Stars quality with the likes of F. Torres capable of turning a match on its head, but they need to translate that raw potential into actual points. Meanwhile, RSL shot-stopper Rafael Cabral has been incredibly busy, racking up vital saves to keep his side highly competitive.
Key Battle
With a high Balance on paper, the tactical clash centers firmly around Real Salt Lake's dynamic midfield pushing against Austin's deep, organized defensive block. Austin's backline has been relatively tight despite their overall struggles, but they will face relentless, structured pressure from a home unit that loves to dictate the tempo and create high-quality chances right through the middle of the park.
Our Prediction
Real Salt Lake's established attacking rhythm will likely overwhelm the visiting defense as the game wears on. Expect the hosts to control the lion's share of possession and grind out a multi-goal victory, leaving Austin with a massive mountain to climb when the reverse fixture rolls around later this year.